Granny au pairs sought for their wisdom and sense of adventure

Older ladies looking for the chance to travel are being matched with families
around the world as 'granny au pairs'

Becoming an au pair later in life can ease the burden on a young family and offer a chance to see the worldPhoto: Alamy

By Elizabeth Roberts

10:23AM BST 01 Jul 2014

British women aged 50-plus are being sought to work as “granny au pairs” all around the world.

An agency specialising in matching experienced candidates with families abroad is keen to get more Brits on its books.

Grania Groezinger from Granny Aupair, which is based in Hamburg, Germany, explained: “We have been placing German and Austrian grannies as au pairs around the world for four years, and a lot of our hosts are expat families.

“We are looking for families who would be interested in having an experienced ‘granny’ helping them out as an au pair, and costing less than a normal au pair. We would also be interested in British ladies, who would like to travel overseas as a granny au pair. Unfortunately we have no British grannies as yet, but am keeping my fingers crossed that we will find some.”

"Senior citizens often remember their one-time dreams with a bit of melancholy,” she noted.

"Thanks to Granny Aupair, older women now have the opportunity to go abroad for an extended period, improve a foreign language and intensify their knowledge of a country – more extensively than is possible during a holiday."

The opportunity has already been taken up by more than 500 women placed with families in 40 countries.

“The granny helps with housekeeping and children, and gets free board and lodging in return. Becoming part of a family makes it easier to immerse oneself in life in a foreign country. It’s a win-win situation for both sides, as the idea of au pair is based on mutual help," added Ms Hansen.

Gudrun Kunze, 62, from Hessen, Germany, spent six months in Madrid with a family who speak German, English and Spanish, looking after boys aged three and five.

“When I was young I lived in London as an au pair for a year, and I enjoyed it very much. After retirement I felt rather useless and bored. I was still fond of travelling, but I had only a low budget, and there was nobody to come along," explained Ms Kunze.

"When I came across an article in a magazine about Granny Aupair, I instantly knew that’s what I wanted to do. When I joined my host family in Spain, I felt I belonged, not like an employee. I returned home full of emotions and experiences and satisfied.”

Ms Kunze, a retired widow with two adult sons, added: “My time as a granny au pair was a gain in every respect. I recommend it to every woman who is not sure about taking the step, provided she is tolerant and flexible, open to new ideas, willing to get involved in a family life, and to show love, patience, and power. The reward is an invaluable treasure of adventures and experiences, and the wonderful feeling of being needed."

Ms Kunze (pictured left with Mateo, the three-year-old she looked after in Spain) went on to spend three months in Australia, and heads to Edinburgh, Scotland, for another placement soon.

Birgit Oppenhäuser, from Germany, worked as a granny in Spain's Costa del Sol for three months last year, paired with a mother, Christina, and six-year-old girl, Maria, in San Pedro de Alcantara.

“I spent three beautiful, eventful months there. Thanks to Granny Aupair, Christina had more time for herself and I was able to see much of this beautiful country and its friendly people,” she explained.

Ms Groezinger said candidates do not need formal qualifications to join the agency and it does not vet them.

“It is up to each individual family to vet them to make sure they are suitable. Most of our grannies have been nursery teachers, school teachers or nurses in their former working lives, as well as raising their own children,” she said.

Signing up to granny-aupair.com/en for one month costs €99.90. The amount of pocket money paid to each au pair is negotiable, as is the cost of flights.